Tuesday, December 12, 2006

Happy Birthday to both the lovely Kees and to my equally lovely niece, Jane.

You are both premium people!

Kees, because you asked, here is the picture of the squashed thumb.

I trust that it is as exciting as you'd hoped. We aim to please.

Voila la mantelpiece, all ready for Martha's inspection.

Four years ago we received a mystery parcel on our doorstep containing a quite lovely partridge in a pear tree (not live, neither the partridge not the pair tree) and since then every year, post-marked the Yukon, Edmonton, and this year Philadelphia, we have received 2 turtledoves, 3 french hens, and 4 calling birds. They formed the theme for the mantel this year.

This year's Charlie Brown tree, being guarded by the attack cat.

Last year we won the centrepiece at Jerry's Christmas party.

This year I stuck some fresh greens in it and called it done.

- photo makeovers by eva -

**

Once the insane prep season is done, I simply must tell you about the funniest, most endearing film I've seen this year, which you've likely not even heard of. It has an intimate connection with a certain Gypsy Punk band.

Curious?

-- oh yeah, I've had a bitch of a time trying to leave comments on some blogs today, specifically John's and Toccata's, so I'm not ignoring you guys, it's just that Blogger hates you --

31 comments:

What beautiful photos Barb/Eva!! Loving the mantel. So, you keep receiving mysterious packages each year? How very cool.

I'm now fully in holiday mode, going home tomorrow and decorating the tree. Its going to be a different holiday, as I won't be celebrating with my immediate family on the big day. But thanks to the wonders of digital photography, one can always photoshop the others in ;)

Gorgeous Barb. I figure this...if I can't get into the spirit and I end up sitting here on Dec. 24 thinking "I really should've decorated" I'm going to pull up this post of yours and have it on my monitor so at least the computer will be festive. You've inspired me.

I love that mystery mail idea. What a great thing...may have to steal that idea.

nice pics very warm and festive....i had the non-posting blogger thing last week, this week it seems fine..i have no clue what happendthat mystery parcel is awesome...kind of a kinder gentler stalker thing

Thanks Mel, it feels pretty cozy. Now we just need time to enjoy it.I think you'd enjoy this film.

Ben, the cat is rather annoyed that her perching spot on the mantel has been usurped by birds, of all things. She does like to lie under the tree though, as the tree skirt is soft and the lights are warm. It's like an incubator under there!I'll bet you know the band that is connect to the film.

Deb, I would be honoured to be on your monitor at Christmas, but I hope that you can feel a little more Christmassy before that. That mystery parcel, if carried out to completion, will be a 12 year committment, which is a little mind-blowing imo.

Thanka Toccata, your Christmas tree picture inspired me to post some photos as well.I assume the comments issue has to do with beta, as you folks all have beta and I haven't switched yet.

Kelly, I totally stole the "put your pet under the tree" photo idea from you. Sputnik doesn't take up as much of the picture as Jake, but she's trying.Kinder gentler stalker - hahaha

John, being a late adapter (let someone else work out the bugs is my philosophy), I haven't switched to beta, but it does seem to lie at the root of the problem.

Aww that's sweet Maureen. As long as no horse's head shows up in a box on my porch one year, it's all good.Christmas is not a competition (well, I supppose in a lot of ways it actually is) but I didn't mean to put any pressure on you.

Sputnik is actually really good about the tree, Karen. She'll knock off the ornaments on the bottom branches but other than that she just likes to lay under it.If those Christmas parcels stopped coming, I would be very worried about the fate of whoever has been sending them and checking the obits. They are such fun to receive.

Well this Martha thinks your mantel looks just marvy! I am sure all other Marthas would approve wholeheartedly as well! That is, if we could ever make contact with the other Marthas! I am sure the original Martha would approve as well!

Your finger, on the other hand, doesn't look so beautiful! Yikes! We might have to do some surgery when we see you next....there ain't nothin' a glue gun won't fix! lol

Thanks Bev! So glad that you approve, being a Martha and all. Yes, bring on the glue gun! I don't know why I didn't think of that!We won't be able to make Larry's do this weekend, but I'll email you and thanks so much for the invite.

And thank you Barb, how very sweet of you to post MY birthday on your blog! I did wonder how everyone knew! And what a special birthday present - a picture of a squashed thumb. That's special. Hope it's feeling better. I can stop chanting now.

I LOVE that story Barb! That's brilliant! What an exciting mystery. It's like in Amelie when her Dad's gnome goes off round the world. I it's just lovely that someone goes to that much effort. Bless them!